His existence was hinted at in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, so now it seems it’s casting time. The surgeon-turned-wizard warrior, Doctor Strange, looks to make an appearance post-AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, and sources report it’s Joaquin Phoenix at the top of the studio’s list.
Collider reports that Marvel and Phoenix (GLADIATOR, HER, WALK THE LINE) are in final talks for the role.
The studio remains quiet so, ofcourse, speculation is running rife. Questions have been raised as to whether Phoenix would be willing to do a Samuel L. Jackson and make numerous small-ish appearances in various films. By the sounds of it, studio president Kevin Feige may have bigger plans for the role. As Feige commented last year:
“I would love Strange to be a part of [the Marvel Cinematic Universe] only because he’s a great character. He’s a great standalone character. He’s got a great origin story, for the most part. And that world of pure magic, we haven’t done yet. There’s a whole supernatural/magic alternate dimension going on in the Marvel comics that we haven’t ever touched on. So I think that’s exciting.”
Notice the words “stand alone character”. Perhaps this is why the studio is pushing for a heavyweight actor…
We’ll keep you updated!
